Let's start with power. See if you have D.C. Voltage at the lugs of that solenoid.

Marc

Solenoids should always have voltage applied to them. They fire when the path to ground is completed.

Tons of videos online about how to use a multimeter to measure DC voltage. Go and check them out and report back and please be careful as solenoids have high voltage applied to them.

Marc

Also, there is a switch that senses when a ball is in the trap door on the popper. Go into switch test and see if that switch is working.

Always start with the simple stuff and think like the game does. It will only kick a ball up if it thinks a ball is there, so check the switch first. If that checks out, test the solenoid and make sure it has power and can fire. If the switch works and there is power to the solenoid there are additional things to look at, but start with the switch testing.

Marc

Show us a picture of the underside of the trap door. I have an idea but I'll need to see it.

Can you try going to the trap door test again, but this time, use your finger to press the metal plunger up inside the coil and bit and see if it catches and pulls up?

Marc

I remember that in test mode that the solenoid test isn't long enough to eject a ball. Another way to test this is to turn the game off and drop a ball into the cellar (not through the trunk, but directly through the trap door.)

Turn the game on and it will detect the ball in there and try to clear it.

Also, you need the rubber grommets under the solenoid that controls the ball gate. Cannot tell under the black electrical tape, but the grommet props the metal plunger up into the magnetic field enough to allow to solenoid to pick it up. Sometimes you need to put your ear near the coil and listen to it. When it's engaged electrically, it has a buzz that you can hear.

Marc

Putting a voltmeter there is helpful. As I said earlier, coils always have voltage applied to them. So you should test the coil and the board connection Zara illustrated above. Power test first, and if that passes, we can follow up with grounding instructions and other suggestions.

Marc

Those readings look correct. You won't have voltage across the pins because the path to ground isn't complete. Follow Zaza's expert advice above and ground the coil and see if you can get it to fire.

Marc

So, your path to ground is OK. It could be the transistor, it could be upstream of the transistor. Unless you're really comfortable with board work, I would send the board out. Should be a quick fix for a qualified technician.

Marc

Glad you got it back and working and kudos to Lloyd for the final bit of advice.

Marc